Urban Design Studies

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

For the purposes of considering requests for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website : http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

Urban design is defined as the shaping of public space, distinguished from urban planning by its focus on urban form, from landscape architecture by its focus on built form and from architecture by its focus on public space. This subject will introduce and critically analyse a broad range of concepts, ideas and theories that frame practices of urban design in a contemporary global context.

Project types will include:

• new precincts and linkages
• retrofitting and revitalization
• new waterfronts
• transport-oriented design
• greenfield and brownfield developments
• informal settlements.

Studies of urban design process will include:

• staging and displacement
• community process
• design regulation

Critiques will include:

• aesthetic
• social
• economic and environmental sustainability
• urban intensity
• livability and safety
• politics of imagery
• access and equity

At the conclusion of this subject students will be able:

• to understand the major concepts and ideas of urban design theory and practice;
• to undertake critique of both contemporary and traditional urban design projects;
• to situate urban design theories and practices within the fields of urban planning, architecture, landscape architecture and property.

• Critical analysis task of 2000 words due in week 7 (40%).
• Methodology exploration of 1,500 words due in week 12 (35%).
• 5 class exercises on techniques due weeks 2-6 (25% in total).

Course Reader

Larice, M. & Macdonald, E. (2007), The Urban Design Reader, London: Routledge.

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Biomedicine
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Music
• Bachelor of Science
• Bachelor of Engineering

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

• critical thinking and analysis;
• use and citation of sources;
• written and verbal presentation of ideas;
• essay and report writing;
• application of generic theories to specific examples;
• ability to analyze social and cultural contexts.

This subject is required for the Urban Design and Planning Major of the Bachelor of Environments. It is advised, but not required, that it be taken during the second year of study.